It was years ago when I earned my first salary. In my eyes it was a sizable amount and my parents applauded me for it. I went to the Automated Teller Machine to withdraw it. I had gone with a friend who that hot afternoon. As we were returning I was happy. I felt somehow fufulled.
When I arrived home I gave a large part of the money I had just brought home, first to my parents, who were delighted. And then some to my younger siblings. I kept the lesser part to myself. This was years ago.
That was my way with money back then or maybe it's even still so now. If any money came to my hand I would share sizable amounts of it to my parents. Not because they lacked, they both were gainfully employed and earned a lot. But it was my way of thanking them for the way they raised me and my siblings while we were growing up. The second time I had gone to withdraw another of my earnings, I gave a good part of the money to one of my friends who had accompanied me to the ATM.
I couldn't keep money in my hand if somebody close to me was in need. I would immediately give the money away and most times I would ask the person not to repay. My parents found fault with this my way of handling money, especially my dad.
“You have to be frugal with your finances so you can better your financial life. Giving money away to anyone around you who needs it will only deplete your finances and not grow it.” My father said.
I listened quietly while he talked. I have my reasons for handling money the way I did, but I felt he had a point. I read in a book called The Psychology Of Money that handling money frugally is necessary for financial growth. I agreed with this info but there was no way somebody around me would need money I wouldn't give it away. Or there was no way I would earn money and not give some to my family.
I have helped several of my friends who were in financial need and those days I was earning a substantial amount of money. From it I cartered somewhat lavishly for my family and I helped my friends whenever I could. Maybe according to my dad I was living wastefully with money.
Later I experienced moments of financial drought. My mind went back to the time of my life when I had lots of dough. Maybe the phrase waste not, want not was apt to describe my situation. I didn't know whether to blame myself or not. Because I felt we should place others before ourselves.
Well, what happened was that some of the friends I had helped saw me through during the moments of financial desperation. When my finances bounced back later I had started learning to be a little frugal with money, not that I didn't help people anymore but I didn't help if it would hurt my finances. For example if a friend needed to borrow a large amount that would drain my finances, I would still help but I would give them only the amount I could comfortably afford.
Well, I still habour philanthropic intentions but I don't indulge in them if it would hurt me financially. That way I get to avoid lack while still aiding friends and acquaintances with money. This strategy I've adopted has helped me stay financially afloat. I think it is my parents that helped me adopt this way of life while still not compromising my principles. Reading books on finances also helped my in that regard.
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